3 Running Backs with Strong 2015 Fantasy Strength of Schedules

David Gonos 10:21 pm, June 17th, 2015

Once again, I decided to take a look at the 2015 Fantasy Strength of Schedules to give us some ideas about players going forward.

There are always a few players that have much easier schedules, which helps them get off to a great start, and then there are those that are stuck running through a gauntlet of ultra-tough NFL defenses. (Last week, I took a look at a trio of quarterbacks with good Fantasy Strength of Schedules.)

These guys look at the coming 2015 NFL schedule, and they look at last year’s rankings of defenses versus specific Fantasy Football positions.

In other words, they break it down to show you who has the best Fantasy Strength of Schedule in the first five weeks, the middle five weeks, the Fantasy playoffs, etc. This is ultra useful for thinking about players to draft and trade away, or to avoid in the draft, then trade in the middle of the season when their value is low.

3 Running Backs with Good 2015 Fantasy Strength of Schedules

These three running backs are all facing competition that struggled to stop the run in 2014. Obviously, offseason maneuvers, including free-agent signings and departures, as well as draft picks, could change a defense’s ranking in 2015. But this is still a good place to start.

1. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

The run defenses in the NFC South are no prize, and the Panthers will also play against soft run defenses like the Jaguars, Titans and Packers.

Stewart’s problem has always been injuries and the fact he has to sometimes share goal-line touches with other guys, whether it has been DeAngelo Williams or Cam Newton. But Williams is finally out of town, and Stewart looked great in the final five weeks of the season (486 rushing yards and two total touchdowns).

2. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

The Texans face those same crappy AFC South defense as the Panthers do, except they get to face them twice each. Plus, the Texans are going to be ultra-run dependent offensively, and Foster is still just under 30 years old, and his career carries aren’t what most 29-year-old starters have.

The Buccaneers actually have the second-best Fantasy Strength of Schedule, but without a good offensive line or an obvious No. 1 tailback between Charles Sims and Doug Martin – they’re tough to rely on.

3. Mark Ingram/C.J. Spiller, New Orleans

Similar to the Bucs – only in that they have a pair of running backs expected to get plenty of touches – the Saints face a weak NFC South schedule, and the absence of TE Jimmy Graham means they’ll want to run the ball more inside the 10.

Spiller will cost you a later pick than Ingram, and the risk/reward is much better at that stage for a game-breaking, pass-catching tailback with Drew Brees throwing him balls.

While Foster will definitely be drafted in the first or second rounds of most Fantasy Football drafts, it’s still important to realize how soft his Fantasy Strength of Schedule might be.